Page 8

CHAPTER

FIVE

AFTERSHOCK

I watch her through the glass windows of the bakery as she helps customers. It’s been two weeks since she’s been back. She started school but won’t be able to graduate until December. Some of her credits didn’t transfer, so she’ll have to take a class or two in the fall.

She helps the owner, a tall, willowy woman who dresses like she’s from the sixties. Today, she’s wearing tight black pants that stop at mid-calf and a black-and-white crop top. She has a little girl, and from what I’ve heard from the prospects, Harley is in love with her.

Harlowe looks out the window and sees me. I’ve been keeping my distance, and it’s been hard. I’m giving her and Kodiak the time they need to reconnect, but having her this close and doing nothing is killing me. Today, I’ve decided it’s time to talk to Kodiak.

Loki pulls up next to me and gets off his bike.

“Harley doing good today?” he asks.

“Yeah, she’s been in the back baking unless a customer comes in.

I’ve got one prospect at the rear entrance and the other over there.

” I point to the end of the strip mall where GB is posted.

I hate when he’s assigned to her detail, so I keep him as far away as possible.

The next time I hear he asks her out, I’ll break his fucking arm and face.

I’ve made it clear what she is to me, but he keeps pushing the limits.

“She getting off early today?” Loki checks his watch.

“She has an afternoon class, then she’ll be back here to help with closing.”

“I heard she has dinner plans,” he says casually.

My head whips toward him.

“Excuse the fuck out of me. What do you mean she has dinner plans?” I start to move off my bike, but he holds up a hand to stop me.

“It’s all good. I’m taking her over to Palmer to have dinner at the brew house.”

I turn back to watch her and find her talking to a guy I didn’t see enter.

“Who is she talking to now?”

“Oh, he’s safe,” Loki says. “He walks over from the gym to chat her up. She turns him down every time he asks her out.”

“I’m fucking done with this bullshit.”

I swing off my bike and stomp toward the bakery.

I pull open the door with a hard tug. The bell dings as she looks up to see me coming.

The guy doesn’t turn around until he realizes she’s still staring at me.

I want her eyes on me and only me. I’m a jealous man and don’t like her looking at or talking to any other man.

I hate that I’m like this, but it’s the way it is with her.

I walk up to the counter and glare at him. “Excuse me,” I say.

The guy steps back, and I move closer, pulling her forward by the back of her neck. I lean into her, and she leans toward me. Our lips touch in a soft, warm kiss. I want to consume her, but I know I won’t stop if I do.

Harlowe’s breath hitches as I pull away. Her eyes slowly flutter open, then focus on me again, swirling with color, the green deepening with passion.

“Starlight, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at your brother’s. We’ll go for a ride and a picnic.”

“Okay,” she says breathlessly, nodding as a smile tugs at her lips.

I release her and step back.

“Damn, that was hot,” a throaty voice says. I look over to see her boss standing at the kitchen entrance.

“Momma, who’s that?” her daughter asks softly from her arms.

“I don’t know, Oly.”

“I’m Aftershock. She’s mine.” I point to Harlowe, then turn to glare at the gym rat. He isn’t even as big as I am. I could bench press twice what he can. His eyes harden before he turns and walks out.

“Shock, what time?” Harlowe asks.

Her using my road name pisses me off. I reach for her hand and direct her along the counter until she’s standing in front of me with nothing between us.

“Starlight, you call me Crue, never Aftershock,” I growl against her lips. Every time mine brush hers, I get closer to losing control.

She licks her bottom lip, and her tongue touches my lips. My control snaps.

I pull her into my body with one arm, my other hand sliding to the back of her head, messing up her bun as I tip her head back and take her lips in a deep, dominating kiss. My tongue touches hers, and I groan as she wraps around me. She was made to be mine, and I was made for her.

Our lips and tongues dance over each other. My cock hardens in my jeans, and her erect nipples press into my chest where my vest slid open from her hands.

I finally pull back, and her lips are swollen, her eyes dreamy.

“Perfect, Starlight.”

“Crue, what time?” she asks again.

“I’ll be there at ten so we can set out early. Dress warm.”

“Okay.”

“Get Kodiak to watch Fezzik.”

“I will.”

I turn away before I’m tempted to throw her over my shoulder and take her out to my bike. Tomorrow is Saturday, and since the bakery is closed every other Saturday, she’ll be all mine, wrapped around my body on my bike.

I’m almost to the door when she stops me in my tracks.

“What changed your mind about dating me?”

I don’t turn around because I know I’m not that strong.

“You’ve had enough time to get to know your brother. It’s my turn now.”

I open the door and walk out to my bike, adjusting myself before throwing a long leg over the seat and putting my helmet on. I have a jobsite I need to be at. I take off, thinking about her being mine soon.

Harlowe

I watch him leave. My body still hums from his kiss and claiming.

“You know I’ve seen the guys outside watching you, but I had no idea you were dating one of them.” Marnie’s voice breaks me from my thoughts.

I can’t hide the smile when I turn around. A flush warms my skin. “I wasn’t. But I guess I am now.”

“Dang, girl. All it took was Jerry coming over and talking to you. I need a kiss like that to remind me that not all men are assholes.”

“I’ve never been kissed like that before.”

“What? Girl,” she says, dragging out the word. “I’ve gotta admit, I’ve never been kissed like that either.” We both laugh as Oly comes from the back with a cupcake in her hand.

“I hungry, Momma.”

“Nope. You need real lunch. Come on.” Marnie picks her up and heads to the back to make her a grilled cheese sandwich.

I ask for one too, using her fresh bread, before I have to head to class. Instead, she surprises me with a croque monsieur, a French-style grilled cheese. The sandwich is layered with two types of cheese, ham, and creamy béchamel sauce. It’s ooey, gooey, and I love it.

Fezzik is stretched out on the floor by the back door.

In the two weeks since I started working here, I’ve fallen for Marnie and Olympia.

They moved to Alaska a couple of months ago, but Marnie won’t tell me where they lived before.

She is sweet and kind, and she even lets me bring Fezzik to work.

I’ve offered to babysit so she can go out on dates, but she won’t take me up on it.

She is asked out more than I am, and she always tells them she’s flattered but not interested.

After I eat and wipe down the tables, I walk back and clock out. “I’ll be back at five to help you close.”

“You know you don’t have to do that.” Marnie moves to the large decorating table and stands next to Oly, who is playing with her kid’s baking set.

“I do. You’re my friend. I want to help you.” I shrug as I open the door and take Fezzik’s harness.

I head to the University of Alaska Mat-Su Campus. I need to take a couple of writing classes, and they’re requiring a speech course to cover a couple of credits that didn’t transfer over.

I step out of the shower and open the door a sliver to make sure I’m still alone.

I just got home from helping Marnie close.

I’ve been trying to talk Rylan into letting me find my own apartment, but he insists I’m not taking up any space and it’s better for me to stay with him. I want my own privacy, though.

When I don’t hear anyone, I head down the hall with only a towel wrapped around my body and another around my hair.

“Are you trying to get me killed?” a male voice says, and I scream as I grip my towel and yell for Fezzik.

“It’s me Sparky,” the gravelly voice says, and I turn to look over my shoulder.

“Fuck. Why didn’t you make noise so I knew you were here? I would have told you to turn away.”

“Princess, I just got here. I’m only here until Loki gets done with his job or Kodiak shows up.”

“You know Rylan won’t kill you for seeing me. He’ll just punch you for holding a conversation with me while I drip and stand in a towel.” I laugh.

“I’m not scared of Prez hitting me. I’m scared of Aftershock finding out and killing me. They’d never find my body, and my momma would hate that.” He moves to the sofa and sits down. “But I’ve gotta say, nice legs, Princess.”

“Fuck off.” I turn and head for my bedroom.

“The ass holding those stems is pretty sweet too. Shock is a lucky fucker. Nice tattoo.”

“I’m going to tell him if you don’t shut up.”

I got the tattoo recently, and most people will never see it.

He grabs his chest. “You’re hurting my feelings, Princess.”

I slam my door closed, cutting off the sound of him chuckling, and get dressed for dinner with Loki.

When I come out next, I’m wearing a white lacy skort romper.

The sheer sleeves and deep V-cut front expose just enough cleavage, and the style of my bra makes it look like I’m not wearing one at all.

A gold necklace Daddy gave me twists and rests between my breasts.

I finish the look with black knee-high boots, the heels clicking as I step out the door.

My hair is down in loose waves, with a French braid running down one side. I stop at the bathroom to check myself out in the mirror. Yep. I look good.

Loki thinks he’s the only one who can play jokes. I’m going to get the final laugh tonight.

I step into the living room, and every eye turns to me. Sparky and Loki are here, along with Gunny, Wing, and Icarus. Gunny and I have become friends, bonding over conversations about PTSD and how Fezzik helps me cope.

“What the fuck are you wearing, Princess.” Icarus shakes his head and groans.